Wheel woble at 73mph
 

Hi all

New to the XT community and have just bought myself a 2005 XT660R I'm running a new set of Michelin sirac tyres both front and rear

I am experiencing wheel wobble at the front end of the bike but it doesn't start until I hit around 73mph anyone know what this could be caused by please

Any thoughts would be great

Many thanks

Brad

Ive not seen it much with road biased tyres, but mostly with nobblies. Sometimes tyres, pressure, road surface can hit a sweet spot and the bike can weave a little. Ive one stretch on my commute that will always cause a little weave regardless of which tyre I use. I think the large 21 front makes it more noticable. Try changing variables like pressure and see if it makes any difference.

But if your still concerned. Are the tyres balanced? Are all your bearings in good order? Is the front spindle done up properly?

one of the big things is the 21 inch highlights any variations in balance, and one that comes to light is part worn front tyres. sometimes try changing the position on the road and how you hold the bars

speed wobble
 

Hi holding the bars differently can make a huge difference, make sure you are not riding with locked arms this is one cause of speed wobbles. I find keeping my arms bent slightly and sitting nearer the tank helps a lot. My TKC 80 tyres are now well worn at the rear and starting to make the bike prone to wobbles.

Try all of the things mentioned above, but pay particular attention to your steering head bearing adjustment - too tight, too loose or just plain worn out are all big contributors to wobbles on the Tenere. To compound matters they were never greased properly from the factory.

Well I know something no one's mentioned here.

Excluding any possible issues with steering head bearings, I know what is the major culprit for front wheel wobble on the XT bikes, because I've heard it straight from the chief designer of Avon Distanzia tyres, and the issue is: excessive tyre pressure + knobbly to semi knobbly tyres do no play nice together.

So the fix is simple reduce tyre pressure to 28psi and go for a ride, if no wobble, then try to up it to 29, no wobble the go up another psi, soon as the wobble returns then you know you've gone too far so back it down again.

As I said if there is nothing wrong with other possible issues, then the tyre pressure IS the problem.

Oh and please make sure the tyre beads are fitted evenly around the rims without bumps on the tyre walls.

Try it, and report back please.

Hi all,

Thank you for the feedback will try all the above and let you know how I get on

Thanks again!

If u can ride to the speed and then through it and it calms back down a few mph over then it's typical signs of wheel a balance problems